Study of First Peter Lesson 7
Review:
1:6-7 TESTING IS
NECESSARY FOR GROWTH IN THE CWOL
In this you
greatly rejoice
-
"In this"
takes us back to vs: 5
- You can have confidence
in time regardless of the circumstances because you are protected by the
Omnipotence of God from the time you believed in Christ, until the day of
deliverance, the rapture.
Therefore it's a
confidence that we as believers can have in time that is not dependant on or
extinguished by the external circumstances of life.
- It's also related
to understanding that in Christ we have an inheritance one which is:
- incorruptible >>
nothing can destroy
- undefiled >> no moral stain/impurity
either to gain or to keep it
- unfading >> not affected by time - will
not loose its luster
- even though now At this
time, the time Peter is writing to people who are under great pressure,
experiencing undeserved suffering, and he is exhorting them to remember their
position in Christ and to keep using the DOA's from
the doctrine known for the rewards are very great.
In this
you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary,
- for a little while (a short time), if need be (causal particle eiv + dei/ pres ptc = indicates an obligation,
something that is necessary - not something that is optional.
- since it is necessary
- "you have been distressed by various
trials"
tests =
peirosmoj indicates these tests are designed to evaluate for good or evil;
strength of weakness. Demonstrate which
as you respond or react!
Summary:
1.
K/BD, here our
position and provision in Christ, leads to the confidence we can have in our
life, the living hope and a real appreciation of our inheritance,
heritage as bel's is the basis for joy, inner
happiness.
2.
Point Peter makes is that this is the foundation out of which flows the
capacity to face testing, pressure, which periodically will come since it is a
necessary part of God's plan for your life.
3.
God in His faithfulness provides the means of enduring, the patient endurance,
the means of handling the tests/circ that are sure to come. 1 Cor
Comments on 1 Cor
4. Since the means is grace, implication then,
is that facing and passing these tests has nothing to do with our background,
genetics - lineage, academics - education/training, natural skills/abilities
but is totally related to the content of your soul and your use of it in the
circumstance you face.
5. At
some point we must learn that human resources are totally inadequate to handle
the tests of life. (seduction of OSN)
6.
Every test is an opportunity to apply BD and produce divine good which will be
rewarded at the JSC.
1:7 RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE TESTS AND YOUR ETERNAL REWARD
That the proof of your faith
by translating it proof of your
faith they are emphasizing the positive result of the test, the
genuineness of the content of the believer's soul, which the word proof (dokimion) brings out.
Being more precious
than gold which is perishable
-> No matter how great a value man places on it, gold
will be valueless in the market place of eternity.
NOW RELATES THE
RESULTS OF THE REFINING PROCESS TO ETERNITY
may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the
revelation of Jesus Christ,
B.L. These tests then are the refining
process God uses to bring us in time (ph-2) to maturation and into the sphere
of blessing not only for now but for all eternity since we're producing divine
good which will be rewarded at the Judgment Seat of Christ.